Miter saw with increased cutting capacity

Abstract

A miter saw design with a cutting arm pivot mechanism that allows the pivot point of the cutting arc to move in a predetermined path in the plane described by the rotating cutting surface. The “floating pivot” enables the tool to accommodate larger pieces of material than conventional miter saws with the same diameter cutting blade. This design also allows the saw to be more compact, lighter in weight, and less complex in comparison to the sliding miter saw. Thus, a miter saw can be provided that provides the cutting capacity of a larger saw with less weight, bulk, and cost than the current alternatives.

1 . A miter saw, comprising:
 a base;   a pivot arm;   a saw assembly attached to a first end of said pivot arm; and   a support housing connected to said base, wherein
 said pivot arm is pivotably attached to said support housing at a second end of said pivot arm by a pivot assembly; and 
 said pivot assembly comprises a gear assembly engaged in a common track, said track being configured to engage said gear assembly and adapted for moving said saw assembly in an eccentric arc in a plane perpendicular to said base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The miter saw of  claim 1 , said pivot assembly further comprising:
 a fixed arcuate track having said gear assembly engaged therein.   
     
     
         3 . The miter saw of  claim 2 , further comprising means to connect said gear assembly to said pivot arm. 
     
     
         4 . The miter saw of  claim 1  said saw assembly further comprising:
 a blade; and 
 a motor operatively connected to said blade. 
 
     
     
         5 . A table saw, comprising:
 a base; a saw assembly pivotably mounted to said base, said saw assembly comprising:   an arm, moveable relative to said base; and   a pivot assembly operatively connected to said arm and adapted for moving said saw assembly in an eccentric arc in a plane perpendicular to said base, said pivot assembly comprising a gear assembly engaged in a common track, said track being configured to engage said gear assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The table saw of  claim 5 , said pivot assembly further comprising:
 a fixed arcuate track having said gear assembly engaged therein.   
     
     
         7 . The table saw of  claim 5 , further comprising means to connect said gear assembly to said pivot arm. 
     
     
         8 . The table saw of  claim 5 , further comprising a rotatable cutting tool supported by said arm. 
     
     
         9 . The table saw of  claim 8 , said saw assembly further comprising:
 a blade; and   a motor operatively connected to said blade.   
     
     
         10 . A miter saw, comprising:
 a base;   a pivot arm;   a saw assembly attached to a first end of said pivot arm; and   a support housing connected to said base, wherein
 said pivot arm is pivotably attached to said support housing at a second end of said pivot arm by a pivot assembly; and 
 said pivot assembly comprises a pair of spaced-apart gears engaged in a common track, said track having a rack configured to engage said spaced-apart gears. 
   
     
     
         11 . The miter saw of  claim 1 , said pivot assembly further comprising:
 a fixed arcuate track having said gears engaged therein.   
     
     
         12 . The miter saw of  claim 2 , further comprising a pair of pivot pins connecting said gears to said pivot arm. 
     
     
         13 . The miter saw of  claim 1  said saw assembly further comprising:
 a blade; and 
 a motor operatively connected to said blade.